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Jaeger-LeCoultre Deep Sea Chronograph E2643 1960s Stainless Steel
Ref. JLC-E2643
The E2643 arrived at the end of the 1960s as a working diver's chronograph sold under two different identities: "Shark Deep Sea" with a LeCoultre-signed dial for North America, and "Vogue Chronograph" in Europe. That split marketing reflects something unusual about the piece's engineering ambition — it was conceived as a convertible tool, shipping with interchangeable anodised aluminium bezels covering elapsed time, telemeter and, in rarer configurations, a world-time city track. One case, three instruments. The movement inside is the Valjoux 72, a column-wheel manual-wind calibre that also ran in the early Rolex Daytona and the Heuer Autavia of the same era — as good a measure of its standing as any. At 40mm the case sounds contemporary, but the broad bevelled bezel insert pulls the dial inward and it reads closer to a 38mm on the wrist. The lapidated lugs are sharp and distinctly of their period, and at 13mm thick it sits with enough presence to feel like a proper instrument rather than a dress watch pressed into diving service. The tritium plots and matchstick hands would have glowed green when new; on surviving examples they have typically mellowed to a warm cream patina, which is its own form of documentation.
- Reference
- JLC-E2643
- Brand
- Jaeger-LeCoultre
- Case size
- 40mm
- Case thickness
- 13mm
- Lug width
- 20mm
- Case material
- Stainless steel
- Case shape
- Round
- Dial
- Black
- Crystal
- Acrylic
- Bezel
- Bidirectional rotating
- Movement
- Manual
- Calibre
- Valjoux 72
- Functions
- Chronograph, Small seconds, Tachymeter, World time
- Bracelet / strap
- Stainless steel bracelet
- Strap colour
- Silver
- Clasp
- Deployant clasp
- Lume
- Luminous
- Condition
- Vintage
- Retailer
- Goldsmiths
Additional specifications
- Power reserve
- 48 hours
Learn more about Jaeger-LeCoultre
Antoine LeCoultre opened a workshop in Le Sentier in 1833 and set about solving a problem nobody else had: precise measurement. His Millionomètre of 1844 was the first instrument capable of measuring to a micron, and it let the Vallée de Joux move from skilled approximation to genuine precision.
The house became the movement supplier to the industry. Patek Philippe, Vacheron Constantin, Cartier, and Audemars Piguet all built watches on LeCoultre ébauches, and the manufacture has produced well over a thousand distinct calibres — an output no other house approaches. The partnership with the Parisian retailer Edmond Jaeger, formalised in the company name in 1937, gave it the Jaeger-LeCoultre it still carries.
Two products define it in the public mind. The Reverso of 1931 was designed so British Army officers in India could flip the case and protect the crystal during polo; the reversible case became one of the few genuinely original watch designs of the century. The Atmos clock, developed from 1928, runs on atmospheric temperature variation and needs no winding at all.
The Duoplan and the calibre 101 — still the smallest mechanical movement in series production, introduced in 1929 — sit alongside the gyrotourbillons and minute repeaters that keep the manufacture at the technical front.
Richemont has owned the house since 2000.
- 1833
- Antoine LeCoultre founds his workshop in Le Sentier.
- 1844
- The Millionomètre measures to the micron for the first time.
- 1929
- Calibre 101, the smallest mechanical movement, is introduced.
- 1931
- The Reverso launches with its flip case.
- 1937
- The Jaeger-LeCoultre name is formalised.
Also in 3 collections
This watch appears in Stainless Steel Watches (2,953), Chronograph Watches (1,211) and Pre-Owned, Ex-Display & Vintage Watches (100).
2-year Goldsmiths warranty
What the specifications mean
Strengths
- 40mm suits most wrists
- Luminous hands and markers for low light
- Second time zone for travelling
Worth knowing
- Acrylic crystal marks easily, though it polishes out
Compare alternatives
Watches from other brands at a similar price, style and size, so you can see what else your budget can buy.
| Specification | JLC-E2643 | QdB s Black Enamel | 89356TT05.BTT90 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £21,495 | £20,900 | £17,500 |
| Case size | 40mm | 38.5mm | 40mm |
| Water resistance | — | 50m | 100m |
| Movement | Manual | Manual | Manual |
| Strap | Stainless steel bracelet | Leather strap | Fabric strap |
| Power reserve | 48 hours | — | 100 hours |
| This watch |
|
|
Your new watch
Frequently asked questions, and things you should know about this watch
Will the glass scratch?
Yes, but it polishes out. Acrylic marks easily and a scratch can be buffed away at home, which is why vintage-style watches still use it.
Does it need a battery?
No. It is hand-wound, so it needs winding every day or two but never a battery.
How long does it run for when it's not worn?
About 48 hours fully wound — enough to survive a night off the wrist, but not a full weekend.
What size strap does it take?
20mm. Any strap of that width will fit, and on most modern watches quick-release bars make the swap a two-minute job with no tools.
Is it a men's or women's watch?
Listed as men's, though at 40mm it sits in the range that suits anyone.
Cheapest place to buy
Goldsmiths at £21,495, vintage. No UK retailer we track lists this reference new.
Is this available new?
Not from the UK retailers we track. This reference is listed as vintage only, at £21,495 from Goldsmiths. Goldsmiths check and clean every used watch they sell and warrant it for 2 years, though a vintage piece is sold as it stands and servicing history varies.
Who are Goldsmiths?
Goldsmiths has been selling watches in Britain since 1778 and is part of the Watches of Switzerland Group, which is listed on the London Stock Exchange. They are an authorised dealer, so a watch comes with the manufacturer’s own warranty.
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